The first ciders in New France / The first cryptocurrency?
The arrival of the first seeds
A harsh climate, but a good one
Against all expectations, Quebec’s climate, though harsh, proved surprisingly conducive to the cultivation of hardy apples. The French colonists, connoisseurs of cider, had the wisdom to bring apple varieties specifically adapted to cider from their regions of origin, such as Normandy and Brittany .
Cider, the fundamental drink
Cider quickly became a fundamental beverage in the daily lives of the inhabitants of New France. Far from being a simple extra, it was eaten at every meal, by the whole family, and played a vital role in social gatherings and celebrations. It was a source of calories, vitamins and, let’s face it, good humor. The production techniques, though rudimentary – manual pressing, fermentation in wooden barrels – produced a cider that was often dry and rustic, with variations in quality that undoubtedly added to the charm of each barrel.
A raw, authentic taste that spoke of the terroir and the ingenuity of these pioneers.
Fun Fact
Did you know that in the days of New France, cider was so popular that it was sometimes used as… currency? A sort of “crypto-cider” before its time!
Instead of paying in piastres, you could settle debts or buy services with a few barrels of this precious fermented beverage. It’s enough to make any transaction sparkle!
Sources :
[1] Champlain, Samuel de. Voyages of New Western France, dictated Canada. (Modern reprint of 1632).
[2] Lauzon, Gilles and Doutres, Madeleine. The History of Agriculture in Quebec. (Example: If a specific book has been consulted).
[3] Poirier, Claude. Manger en Nouvelle-France: L’Alimentation quotidienne des premiers colons. (Example: If a specific book has been consulted).
[4] Archaeological and historical studies on agricultural practices in New France. (Generic, if you don’t have a precise source to hand).
[5] Leblanc, Jacques. Chroniques du Bas-Canada: Anecdotes et coutumes d’antan. (Example: If an anecdotal book has been consulted).
Image generated by Google Gemini
